1st-century basalt synagogue foundation beneath the White Synagogue and 1st-century domus-ecclesia at Capernaum
Excavations beneath the famous 4th-century white limestone synagogue uncovered the black basalt foundation walls and cobblestone pavement of the 1st-century synagogue where Jesus taught, adjacent to a 1st-century domestic insula identified as Peter's house.
Rigorous 4-part empirical analysis separating ancient text from bias and consensus
Franciscan excavators revealed that the late synagogue sits directly upon the basalt foundation of an identical 1st-century synagogue. Nearby, Room 1 of an insula yielded 1st-century domestic pottery replaced by plastered walls with Christian graffiti invoking Christ.
Corroborates Luke 7:5 ('he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue', built by the Roman centurion), Mark 1:21–29 (Jesus teaching in the synagogue and entering Simon Peter's house to heal his mother-in-law), and John 6:59.
Excavators and scholars debate the transition date of the white limestone superstructure (4th vs 5th century), but agreement is universal on the 1st-century basalt substructure.
Stratified architectural and stratigraphic evidence documenting continuous religious veneration from 1st-century private house to octagonal Byzantine church.
